PFM Senior Advisor Bio

Clarence hails from Oklahoma where he graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree and a Master of Accounting Degree.  The United States Air Force brought him to the DC area where he served at the Air Force Data Systems Design Center.  While in the USAF, he received the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.

Clarence joined the  Department of the Interior in 1971 and during his 50+ years with the Department of the Interior, he has received the following  awards: “Special Commendation” in recognition of exceptional service for the Financial Integration Review for Management (FIRM) Project; Association of Government Accountants “Technical Achievement of the Year Team Award”; the Secretary’s Certificate of Appreciation for distinction in the area of Financial Management Systems; Department of Treasury Award for Distinction in Financial Management Improvements. and the Department of the Interior Meritorious Service Award.

Clarence began his Interior career with the U. S. Geological Survey where he served as the Chief of the Financial Systems Branch, Financial Management Division with responsibilities for implementing and enhancing financial management and payroll systems. In 1980, Clarence transferred to the Departmental Office of Budget, Division of Financial Administration responsible for developing and implementing financial and budget policies and procedures. In May 1981, the Division of Financial Administration was separated from the Office of Budget and became the Office of Financial Management. 

Clarence has been involved in two major Departmentwide financial management system acquisition and implementation efforts while with the Office of Financial Management.  In the mid 1980’s, each Interior bureau/office had its own financial management system. There was no commonality among these systems in terms of processes, procedures, and capabilities.  Based on IG audit findings, Departmental Management determined that an effort should be undertaken to define the future of Financial Management systems within Interior. Clarence was appointed as Project Manager of this effort, and with contractor assistance, reviewed existing systems within Interior and developed a recommendation that the Department should acquire a commercially available system and implement it Departmentwide.  Clarence also served as Project Manager for the acquisition of the software, and in 1988, a contract was awarded to American Management Systems Inc. for its Federal Financial System (FFS).  From 1989 to 1993, Clarence served as the Office of Financial Management Project Manager for the implementation of FFS in the various bureaus and offices.  

The other financial management systems project relates to what became the Financial and Business Management System (FBMS). In the 1999-2000 timeframe, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) was encouraging Departments and Agencies to upgrade their systems to the more robust integrated systems that were then available.  Based on the OMB guidance, the Interior CFO Council commissioned a study, led by Clarence, to determine what functions should be included in the FFS replacement system (e.g., financial management, procurement, grants, real property, personal property, revenue, etc.).  The results of the study were provided to the CFO Council which decided to proceed with the replacement of FFS.  Clarence was heavily involved in the development of the requirements for the replacement system, the development of the Statement of Work, the acquisition of the new system, and the development of the implementation plans for Interior.  Software from SAP was selected as the replacement and was named FBMS. 

Clarence currently serves as the Senior Advisor to the Deputy CFO and Director, Office of Financial Management.